By the mid 14th
century, during the Ming dynasty, Jingdezhen had Imperial patronage and
was the most important centre in China for the production of porcelain.
In fact, the only place in the world that could produce porcelain! The
“secret” of blue and white is cobalt, a natural mineral ore, which was
then confined to Persia, today’s modern Iran. Persia, or rather, Kashan,
located near Tehran, held a monopoly on the valuable cobalt which was
mined in the low hills surrounding Kashan.

The Persians used cobalt for the decoration of white, tin glazed
earthenware and, in fact, Kashan was an important centre for the
manufacture and distribution of ceramics throughout the Middle East.
Here, we are speaking of a 9th and 10th century world, totally
unrecognizable to us today with our instant everything and with every
part of the world, just hours away! At this time trade between countries
was slow, dangerous and arduous, a trading caravan, typically taking a
year for the round trip.

Trading caravans from Persia first introduced the Chinese to Persian
cobalt; soon to be know in China as “Persian Blue”, the cobalt ore
ground to a fine dark blue to black powder. Chinese potters were excited
and thrilled with this new product and trading began in earnest with
bolts of pure silk exchanged for small packets of Persian Blue.

It was at this period that ceramic decorators were experimenting,
especially with the firing techniques, as the cobalt could be unstable
with the effect of over or under firing which is one of the reasons that
this very early class of Chinese blue and white painting is sketchy
with the blue being washy and rather pale.

Chinese porcelain is “hard paste” porcelain, the term really refers to
the “hard fire” or, high temperature, requiring kilns capable of raising
temperatures up to 1250° C / 2300° F in order for the porcelain to
vitrify with the hard, white, translucent result we call porcelain.
Because of the high level kiln failure, expense and labour required,
porcelain at this time was so rare that it was only produced for
important commissions from the Imperial court or high ranking members of
the aristocracy.

The Chinese new year has passed and the weather is warming! The
peasants sellers from the countryside are gradually returning and
bringing with them, the years new shipments of Chinese classical and
provincial antiques collected from their home towns and villages. Some
interesting things!

As always though, the field narrows and there are general trends to be aware of this year:

Each year it gets harder and harder to find good pieces. If you
didn’t buy what you wanted last year, its probably gone this year.

Prices are rising as supply diminishes and mainland Chinese begin to purchase and appreciate their own culture as well.

Its difficult to find original paintings anymore. Most have been repainted or retouched.

As always, the older, more original, rarer or better quality wood, the more expensive it is!

Here are some of the items for sale which catch my eye in the antique markets at the particular moment.

After last weeks visit to the Beijing un-restored antiques market,
several people had asked me for specific recommendations on “which
pieces I would buy and why would I buy them.”
I will break this list down into three categories and discuss each in a three part post.

Collectors level: These are often investment worthy
classical style pieces which are good materials (such as rosewood),
valued in collectors terms and will appreciate in value. Collectors and
those with taste for quality should put their money here. This is a
tricky category as Westerners and Chinese value things in different
terms (see note below).

Quality antiques: In general these are pieces that
may be provincial but good value for the money. Either the condition is
quite good (such as original paintings), it has a fair amount of age to
it or its difficult to now find a similar piece at a reasonable price.
Note that these pieces are getting harder and harder to find and will
increase in value as well. And this is a difficult category as some
pieces here may be a worthwhile investment, even if they don’t fit the
strict definition for investment level.

Decorative items: Pieces which may not be significantly worth money but nevertheless charming and have good aesthetic or design value.

Of course its impossible to discuss each piece in detail here and
these are just a few of the items which stand out. Nor will you
will not find any Huang hua li or Zitan here – those sort of items will
never reach these markets and are rare enough inside China as it is.
However for those with the means and those who appreciate these are
items I would put my money into.

I recently stumbled across a Chinese antiques themed scraper site,
aggregating headlines related obviously to Chinese art and antiques.
For those of you who are not savvy in the lingo of the web, “scraper
sites” are basically spam sites which glean all of their content off of
the web and repost it in its entirety (as their own content). Usually
sites like that are put up for the purpose of selling ads on the site –
in many ways they ruin the web when it comes to search engine by
polluting results with content that doesn’t even belong on their site . I
won’t post the link here as I frown on the practice, having found my
own content scraped a few times already. But I must admit, in this case
it did lead me to so interesting recent articles which are worth
sharing. Unlike them, I had to spend some time finding the original
source of the article in order to provide credit where it is due.

Description ( as NIU original short note )Painted
illustrations of Jataka and Ramayana figures, some captioned and
allocated to days of the week, astrological calculations. Black script
on one side and colored illustrations on the other side of continuous
sheet of white paper folded fanwise (13 folds). Outside folds black
with red ink. Ms. Donor: Burma Studies Group.

Album
of 48 drawings, 1853-1885. Mandalay, Burma. Museum no. IS.136-2009. A
robed Brahmin priest (Poona) of the court holding a conch shell and
fan. Height 37.2 cm x width 23.5 cm. Acquired with support from The Art Fund and The Friends of the V&A

Album
of 48 drawings, 1853-1885. Mandalay, Burma. Museum no. IS.136-2009.
Wife of a King's Merchant. In front of her are arranged objects
appropriate to her rank: a betel nut stand (containing four small
vessels) and three other containers. Height 37.2 cm x width 23.5 cm. Acquired with support from The Art Fund and The Friends of the V&A

Album
of 48 drawings, 1853-1885. Mandalay, Burma. Museum no. IS.136-2009.
Princely figure on throne (Chobwa) accompanied by his insignia of rank:
umbrella, sword on stand, large container for betel nut and other
vessels. Height 37.2 cm x width 23.5 cm. Acquired with support from The Art Fund and The Friends of the V&A

This
rare album of 48 paintings depicts a range of officials and their
wives from the last Burmese court at Mandalay (1853-1885). Included are
grades of court officials, high ranking army officers, princes and
other significant court figures of the time, including Brahmin priests,
together with representatives of regional ethnic groups such as Shans.
Costumes are carefully and sensitively depicted and each figure is
also accompanied by his or her insignia of rank such as swords, musical
instruments and betel nut containers. It is likely that the album was
created on the orders of a European visitor using local court artists,
and an inscription on the fly leaf reads '48 drawings each cost 5 Rs '.
The
album not only provides a rare and revealing window onto a now
vanished royal court but significantly illustrates and enhances the
V&A's existing unique collection of 19th century Burmese court
costume and regalia. Several illustrations relate directly to the dress
pieces and other insignia in the collection.
The album was
collected by Robert Hoe during his lifetime (1839-1909) and bears his
bookplate. This American businessman was an art collector and first
president of the Grolier Club, a New York society devoted to the
promotion of bookmaking as an art. It was later acquired by Doris Duke
the renowned collector of South East Asian art who collected Thai and
Burmese objects during the 1960s.

There are as a lot of excellent motives to contemplate buying an
antique engagement ring as there are causes for deciding when to pop the
question. Whilst modern day day jewelers struggle to supply clients
something distinctive and contemporary, the bride-to-be might be much
more inclined to appreciate the style and inherent charm of an antique.
Another perfectly acceptable cause for acquiring antique engagement
rings is they often provide purchasers a far better top quality diamond
at a reduce price tag than purchasing a new ring.
Prior to beginning your search for the excellent wedding ring, it is greatest to ask your self a few queries.
Do you know about the 4 C’s?
The 4 C’s are the criteria professionals use to decide the worth of a diamond.
“Clarity requires into account the number, character, and visibility
of flaws inside the stone. These are frequently referred to as
inclusions. The fewer inclusions, the better the good quality of the
stone.”
Carat is the size or weight of the diamond. The larger the stone, the
larger the price. An benefit to buying antique engagement rings is that
in the 1930s and 1940s jewelers usually compensated for a smaller sized
diamond by setting it in an intricately made white gold, square-shaped
box. These produced the stone appear bigger.
“Color is a matter of taste. Contemporary-day requirements put a
higher value on a clear diamonds, as a rule. In the past, purchasers
wanted their diamonds to reflect a rainbow of colors, soft pinks,
yellow, or green tints. Even though colored diamonds are still available
these days, they had been deemed more valuable in the previous. It is
also important to note that numerous of the contemporary colored
diamonds are artificially altered to enhance the color.”
Reduce is also a matter of taste and another reason antique
engagement rings may be the best answer. More than the years, the
preference of reduce has changed. Moreover, a laser now cuts most
diamonds whereas older stones were typically reduce by hand, giving them
a far more customized, romantic look.
What is the difference amongst an antique ring and an estate ring?
Antique rings usually refer to rings that are more than 50 years old.
Rings much less than 50 years old and purchased utilised are thought of
as estate rings.
What are the designs of diverse eras?
Victorian Era (1835-1900) – Victorian era antique engagement rings
featured diamonds or pearls set in yellow or rose gold. The ring types
varied from easy elegance to intricate detail. Many settings featured
rows of diamonds that had been cut with an added facet in the bottom of
the stone. This was recognized as a mine cut.
Edwardian Era (1900-1920) – With the invention of the oxyacetylene
torch, platinum became the preferred metal for the period. The wedding
bands were usually crafted with lacy and pierced shapes, milgraining,
filigree detail, and scrollwork. Rose-cut diamonds and sapphires were
the preferred stones.
Art Deco Era (1920-1930) – Art Deco antique engagement rings feature a
streamlined geometric appear. They also reflect Egyptian, Asian, and
Native American cultures. These rings had been frequently created of
platinum featured colorful, contrasting gemstones as well as diamonds.
Exactly where can antique engagement rings be purchased?
Antique engagement rings can be purchased in a number of places:
antique shops, estate sales, pawn shops, auctions, and there choose
vendors on-line and bigger cities who specialize in the acquire and
resale of antique jewelry. No matter where you buy your engagement
rings, keep in mind to get a complete description of your purchase in
writing and appear to vendors who provide a written returns policy. You
could also ask if the jewelry comes with a certified gemologists report,
which provides optimal proof that the jewelry is as described.
Conclusion
When buying an engagement ring, it is crucial to contemplate all your alternatives, including antique engagement rings.

We have so much going on this week at Potomac West! We are very excited to introduce you

to our new dealer, #394. His space is located downstairs at Potomac West and he sells a

fabulous selection of mid-century modern furnishings and accessories. If you love the chic,

clean
lines of the "Mad Men" era, you will LOVE his pieces. From mod mirrors
to cool leather chairs this dealer stocks it all. Check out a photo of
his space below!

We
are also excited to announce that our dealer Eight Hands Round has
moved their space from our sister store Not Too Shabby over to Potomac
West. Their new space is located on the first level at Potomac West.
They have loaded their space with new merchandise and you will love
searching through their shabby chic style furnishings. Click here for
photos of their offerings!

We
had a blast this week putting together the perfect elegant, formal
Thanksgiving table. Check out the photo below and click here for more
photos and tips on how to get the same look for your table! Potomac West
has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving unforgettable.

We are open Columbus Day 10/10 from 10am-6pm! Stop in and check out our fabulous fall inventory.

Pictured above is a gorgeous Danish style cabinet with wood inlays,
perfect for extra storage in any room. This piece is available in our
dealer Primrose's space. You can find her upstairs at Potomac West.

We also have a great selection of vintage and new Fiestaware.
There are some great opportunities to save right now, He has wonderful pieces and an absolutely fabulous selection
of vintage hats.

Celebrate Columbus day with Potomac West! Become a fan on Facebook and get daily updates about new merchandise and special savings!

Keep your eyes on our website this week for a special feature about our
dealer Full Circle who is currently featuring her fabulous costume
jewelry the front window.

Her
style oozes with a casual elegance - you will always find clean lines
matched with bold colors, beautiful patterns and warm textures in her
space. She always incorporates a shabby chic, rustic or primitive piece
to give her style a comfortable, easy feeling. We love her pieces
because they look like they were taken from the pages of our favorite
home and garden magazines.

Featured
above is an antique corbel. It is made of wood and is beautifully hand
carved. This piece would be simply fantastic on a mantel, hanging on a
wall or in a doorframe. The wood tray & stand is made of maple and
is perfectly aged - a fantastic size for serving or storage.

Also featured above is a hand painted floor lamp with a brand new shade.

Brrrrr!
The winter weather has finally made an arrival and it is icy, wet and
chilly! Warm yourself up with some antiquing! We have some great finds
in the shop this week including this gorgeous dresser - plenty of
storage and space saving height.

Check
out our staff pick of the week! This stunning armoire can be assembled
and disassembled in a flash because it comes in several pieces, making
moving this beautiful piece a breeze. It features tons of storage and
beautiful woodworking. While it is a large piece, it adds drama to any
room and is sure to keep you happy for a lifetime!

One
of our dealers, Ginger Rodriguez, is our guest blogger this week. She
tells us about using reproductions v. the real thing and how to spot the
difference. Enjoy!

FAB OR FAKE?

I'm
totally fine with reproduction furniture and I purchase them all the
time for my spaces... but actual antiques are a whole different thing.
Sometimes there's no substitute for an item that has a history...not to
mention the level of hand-craftsmanship which often is just
awe-inspiring.

And of course, there's the price! When you pay for an authentic antique, it had darn-well better BE an authentic antique!

But how do you really know?

Here are some great tips to help you in you determine the Fab from the Fake.

Perfectly Imperfect: As
we grow and live through our life story, along with the good things,
also come a few scars... and it's the same with antiques. I think a
person, or an item - without any mars or irregularities... just lacks
character! (who knew antiquing would get so philosophical!) Look for
wear, flaws, and color variations. Reproductions often have them too,
but they are contrived and painted on... close examination will expose
the bluff.

Not too Matchy-Matchy: In the past, things were done more frugally.
The most desirable wood species were treasured and usually carpenters
did not use them where it didn't matter. Examine the piece carefully and
see if the parts that show - are a different wood from the parts that do not show.

Feeling Stuffed: Foam
rubber, nylon batting and other synthetic materials were introduced
only around the 1920's and can be a dead giveaway. Truly old items will
be stuffed with horsehair, hay, cotton, wool or other interesting
natural fibers.

Nobody's Perfect: and
this includes wood workers. If the decorative carving is too perfect,
then it was probably done by machines and not the old fashioned way, by
hand.

Join In: With a few minutes of study, you can become knowledgeable on the basics of ... Joinery! That is how wooden items are put together.
Where you see Dovetails, doweling, mortise and tenon techniques and
other detailed methods... that's a good indication of age. Also
remember, Phillips head screws and the presence of fiberboard say
"modern" !

Today,
manufacturers often rely a lot on gluing. Antiques will usually have
finely-crafted parts where the strength comes mostly from craftsmanship
creating a joint so tight that glue was used less, or not at all.

The Smell can Tell: If
I blind-folded you and put you in an old book store, you could tell
it... a little musty, a little dusty, but in a good way. Same with
antiques. If you can get you nose into a drawer or close to upholstery,
you will often be able to determine real from repro. The scent of
varnish, paint or polyurethane probably means new.

You are now well-armed with my Fab or Fake Facts......and are hereby advised to